Ventilation-perfusion mismatch pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aida Javanbakht, M.D.

Overview

Any disruption between blood flow and ventilation is called V/Q mismatch.

Pathogenesis

In the upright position of the normal lung, the amount of ventilation and perfusion is higher in the base of the lung compare to apex of the lung.